All Books
- From rockets to cuddly foxes, kids books that inspire scientific curiosity
From quantum physics for babies to Darwin for tweens, these titles promise to cultivate the budding scientist in your house.
- Bella Abzug: Liberal trailblazer in a broad-brimmed hat
Leandra Ruth Zarnow’s “Battling Bella” traces Abzug’s activism in the 1970s and forecasts the arrival of greater numbers of women in politics.
- Q&A with S.C. Gwynne, author of ‘Hymns of the Republic’
The historian examines how the Civil War’s outcome hinged on the uncertain prospect of Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864.
- ‘Our Wild Calling’ argues for emotional connection with animals
Richard Louv makes the case that animals not only have emotions, but that humans are enriched by interspecies contact.
- ‘Celestial Bodies’ reveals cracks in the patriarchy
Omani novelist Jokha Alharthi follows three generations of a family trying to make their way as traditional roles and expectations crumble.
- ‘Disney’s Land’: The amusement park that changed everything
Richard Snow embarks on an entertaining biography of Disneyland in all its pixie-dust-coated, nostalgia-tinged majesty.
- Copernicus blazed a trail for early astronomers to follow
Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo each played a role in furthering the study of the heavens, as L.S. Fauber amply demonstrates in “Heaven on Earth.”
- Cover StoryFuture present? How science fiction sees our world in 2050.
Science fiction writers, gazing into the future, envision space-based cargo movers and robots that may eliminate the need for humans to work.
- Four audiobooks to keep you listening into the new year
The best audiobooks of December 2019 include the latest John le Carré spy novel and a stirring memoir by a Philippine immigrant.
- ’Tis the season to stay cozy with the 10 best books of December
Monitor reviewers recommend 10 notable books for December 2019, including a delightful ode to movie rom-coms and a biography of a modernist designer.
- Empire builder: Walter Ralegh conquered in the name of his queen
Alan Gallay’s biography examines not only the colorful life of Sir Walter Ralegh but also his role in colonization.
- One was killed by a volcano. The other lived to tell the tale.
Daisy Dunn's "The Shadow of Vesuvius" is a vivid history of Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, and the volcanic eruption that defined them.
- A Q&A with Rob Kapilow, author of ‘Listening for America’
Rob Kapilow discusses his book, “Listening for America,” and the importance of understanding the context behind music.
- Merry Christmas: A reading of holiday classics by Monitor staff (audio)
A dive into venerable old writings can add to the warmth of the holiday hearth. Even more so when they’re read aloud.
- Q&A with Gene Weingarten, author of ‘One Day’
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Gene Weingarten discusses his book “One Day” and how he found the extraordinary in an ordinary 24-hour news cycle.
- ‘The Impeachers’ minutely recounts the first presidential reckoning
Brenda Wineapple’s deep dive into President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment and the landscape of Reconstruction politics is an essential Civil War read.
- ‘The Quarter’ shows masterly hand of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz
The collection of short stories, published posthumously, gently lays bare the foibles of the denizens of a neighborhood in old Cairo.
- The best nonfiction books of 2019 pull you into other lives
From expansive biographies to incisive essays on American culture, these are the nonfiction books recommended by Monitor reviewers this year.
- Eileen Gray: The modernist designer you’ve never heard of
Irish-born and Paris-ensconced, Gray created iconic furnishings and homes that are now sought by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The best fiction books of 2019 end the year on a high note
Monitor reviewers share the titles that stood out, including two impressive debut novels and stories centered on global themes.